Nimchenko: Ukraine needs laws, which would restore the rights of the residents of the Anti-Terrorist Operation zone

03.04.2016

Vasiliy Nimchenko, the Deputy Chairman of the Civil Movement “Ukrainian Choice” believes that Ukraine simply needs peace, as well as the laws, which would facilitate the restoration of the rights of Ukrainian citizens forced to reside in the territories beyond Kyiv’s sovereignty. They should be able to freely travel within the borders of their country, receive their legitimate payments and benefits, and exercise their civil rights.

Vasiliy Nimchenko believes that in deciding to cancel the payment of social benefits to their own citizens that they are entitled to by law, as well as challenging these citizens’ demands in court, the authorities are deliberately violating human rights.

“ Senior officials rarely make decisions effective for only a short period of time – half a year to a year. In this regard, the Ukrainian government’s decision is clearly a part of a long-term strategy – to isolate and “cut off” the occupied territories, and subsequently – a part of its population, from Ukraine ”, he claims.

According to him, unless such policy aimed against our own citizens is terminated, in a year or two, the population of the occupied territories might dwindle dramatically.

“ They keep diving, separating, disconnecting the country. Meanwhile, the representatives of the pro-government faction “People’s Front” have the nerve to accuse the Civil Movement “Ukrainian Choice” and their leader V. Medvedchuck of separatism! ”, Vasiliy Nimchenko expressed his outrage.

He is certain: Ukraine simply needs peace. It also needs the laws, which would facilitate the restoration of the rights of Ukrainian citizens forced to reside in the territories beyond Kyiv’s sovereignty, so that they could freely travel within the borders of their country, receive their legitimate payments and benefits, and exercise their civil rights.

“ There is hope that the report of High Commissioner Muzhnieks on observing the rights of the displaced persons from Lugansk and Donetsk Regions, Ukrainian citizens residing in the Anti-Terrorist Operation zone, which will be prepared in a few months and forwarded to Ukrainian authorities, will also be made available to Ukrainian public. One also hopes that the conclusions drawn therein will be taken into account both by the President of Ukraine and the Government in restoring rights and freedoms of Ukrainian citizens, who have suffered as a result of armed conflict in Donbass: both the people who have stayed in the occupied territories and those who have been forcedly displaced ”, the expert summarized.